Motion Picture and Television Flight Operation Manual 

HeliTek Northwest

3812 SW 195th Ter 

Beaverton, OR 97078

PH-503-593-4990

Date: 7.22.2015

Revision: 1.1.0

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Table of Contents 

1. Introduction 

A. Purpose 

B. Pilot/Operator Organization 

C. Persons Authorized 

D. Area of Operations 

E. Plan of Activities 

F. Permission to Operate 

G. Security 

H. Briefing of Pilot/Production Personnel 

I. Certification/Airworthiness 

J. Pilot Personnel/Minimum Requirements 

K. Communications 

L. Accident Notification 

M. Recall/Stop Procedures 

N. Aerobatic Competency 

O. Aerobatic Competency 

2. Company Organization 

A. Chief Pilot 

B. Pilot in Command 

Appendix A 

. 1 List of Approved Pilots 

. 2 List of Approved Aircraft 

. 3 Permission Acquisition Form (sample) 

. 4 Revision Letter (sample) 

Appendix B 

1 Form 7711-2 (certification of waiver) 

Date: 7.16.2015

Revision: Original 

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Revision Control Page 

Revision# Date Initials 

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Date: 7.22.2015

Revision: 1.1.0

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1. Introduction A. Purpose 

This manual has been developed by "HeliTek Northwest.", hereafter referred to as "HeliTek NW", in 

conjunction with an application for a Certificate of Waiver of Authorization of the provisions of FAR 91.119 

(b) and (c) for the purposes of filming. HeliTek NW pilots and other company personnel when applicable 

will comply with the policies, procedures and conditions of this manual, whenever motion picture or 

television flight operations are performed that require a Waiver of Authorization as mentioned above. 

B. Pilot/Operator Organization 

James Marsh - Pilot HeliTek NW. 3812 SW 195th Ter, Beaverton, OR 97078, PH 503-593-4990 

C. Persons Authorized 

FAR 91.119 (c) is waived only with respect to those persons, vehicles and structures directly involved in 

the performance of the actual filming. The certificate holder shall ensure that no persons are allowed 

within 500 feet of the area except those consenting to be involved and necessary for the filming 

production. This provision may be reduced to no less than 200 feet if an equivalent level of safety can be 

achieved and the Administrator has approved it. For example, an equivalent level of safety may be 

determined by an ASI’s evaluation of the filming production area to note terrain features, obstructions, 

buildings, etc. Such barriers may protect nonparticipating persons (observers, the public, news media, 

etc.) from debris in the event of an accident. 

D. Area of Operations 

HeliTek NW’s approved area of operations will be the continental United States, as well as Alaska and 

Hawaii. 

Date: 7.22.2015

Revision: 1.1.0

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E. Plan of Activities 

At least three (3) days prior to any scheduled filming, HeliTek NW will submit a written plan of activities to 

the local FSDO having jurisdiction over that area. The plan of activities should include the following: 

. (1) Dates and times for all flights. 

. (2) Name and phone number of person responsible for the filming production event. 

. (3) Name and phone number of person responsible for aircraft. 

. (4) Make, model, and serial or N-number of aircraft to be used and type of airworthiness certificate, 

including category. 

. (5) Name and certificate number of pilots involved in the filming production event, including any 

notation of external load endorsements or aerobatic competency, if required. 

. (6) A statement that the waiver holder has obtained permission from property owners and/or local 

officials to conduct the filming production event. The list of those who gave permission must be 

made available to the inspector upon request from the waiver holder. 

. (7) Signature of waiver holder or representative. 

. (8) A description of the flight activity including maps or diagrams of any area, city, town, county, and/or 

State over which filming will be conducted and the minimum altitudes essential to accomplish the 

operations. 

The three (3) day notification equipments may be waived, however, the operator should contact the 

FSDO as soon as possible with this request and be prepared to explain in detail why the three (3) day 

notification is not practical. 

F. Permission to Operate 

Before any flight operations is conducted closer than 500 feet under the provisions of the certificate of 

waiver and this manual, the operator will obtain permission to conduct these operations from property 

owners and local officials as necessary or appropriate. Persons from whom permission may be required 

are listed below: 

Date: 7.22.2015

Revision: 1.1.0

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(1) Property owners (2) Law enforcement officials (3) Fire department officials (4) Local, State and 

Federal government (5) Air traffic control 

HeliTek NW personnel obtaining such permission will do so in writing whenever practical, however, verbal 

permission is acceptable otherwise. A standard permission form is provided in Appendix A and may be 

used when obtaining written permission. HeliTek NW personnel will assure a sufficient number of those 

forms are available at the job site. Written permission forms will be maintained at the job site until flight 

operations are completed, and then turned into the chief pilot to be kept on file for a minimum of six (6) 

months. These forms will be made available for inspection by the FAA or other official personnel upon 

request. 

G. Security 

Prior to any flight operation the operator will coordinate with appropriate production personnel to devise a 

plan of securing the area(s) of operation from all unauthorized persons and vehicles. Provisions will be 

made to immediately discontinue operations should the area(s) become unsecured or for any other 

reason in the interest of safety. 

H. Briefing of Pilot/Production Personnel 

Prior to the start of any operation under the provisions of this manual, the pilot in command will conduct a 

briefing of all procedures to participating personnel of the risks involved, emergency procedures, and 

safeguards to be followed during the filming production event. Personnel will also be briefed on additional 

provisions that may be issued by the FSDO that has geographic responsibility for the operational area, 

including the location of boundaries or time limits. The briefing shall cover: 

• Authorization for motion picture and television certificate of waiver and the attached special provisions 

• Operations manual • Plan of activities • Aircraft parking and starting • Taxi procedures • Radio 

Communications • Takeoff procedures 

Date: 7.22.2015

Revision: 1.1.0

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• Aviation activities to be conducted during the filming production event • Approach and landing 

procedures • Recall procedures • Emergency procedures 

• Risks to participating personnel • How to control nonparticipating persons 

I. Certification/Airworthiness 

All aircraft operated in accordance with this Certificate of Waiver/Authorization must be identified by serial 

number, registered in accordance with 14 CFR part 47, and have identification (N-Number) markings in 

accordance with 14 CFR part 45, Subpart C. Markings must be) as large as practicable.

J. Pilot Personnel/Minimum Requirements 

The pilot/operator shall establish and specify the minimum pilot requirements. Minimum requirements 

shall meet or exceed the following: 

PIC must hold either an airline transport, commercial, private, recreational, or sport pilot certificate. The 

PIC must also hold a current FAA airman medical certificate or a valid U.S. driver’s license issued by a 

state, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, a territory, a possession, or the Federal government. The PIC 

must also meet the flight review requirements specified in 14 CFR § 61.56 in an aircraft in which the PIC 

is rated on his or her pilot certificate and have logged a minimum of 25 hours on the aircraft or UAS being

used for filming.

Date: 7.22.2015

Revision: 1.1.0
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(6) In the event the operation to be conducted contains elements of an external-load operation, whether 

fixed or rotary wing operations, pilots used in the operation shall be qualified. This qualification may be 

obtained through a knowledge test (which may be oral and/written) and/or skill. The inspector or another 

company pilot approved by the geographically responsible FSDO who is qualified to carry loads externally 

will give the test(s) which are similar to part 133 requirements and cover the following subjects: 

. (a) Steps to be taken before starting operations, including a survey of the Flight area. 

. (b) Proper method of loading, rigging, or attaching the external load. 

. (c) Aircraft performance capabilities under motion picture operating procedures and the aircraft flight 

manual. 

. (d) Proper instructions for flight and ground crew personnel. 

. (e) Aircraft flight manual, pilot operations handbook, or a rotorcraft-load combination flight manual and 

limitations, if appropriate. 

K. Communications 

Prior to the start of any operation covered by this manual, the pilot in command will formulate a plan to 

provide communications capability to all participants during the actual operation and filming. Oral, visual 

or radio communications may be used as long as it is effective and is capable of keeping the participants 

continuously appraised of the current status of the operation. 

L. Accident Notification 

Should an accident or incident requiring notification of the NTSB occur, the notification requirements of 

FAR Part 830 would comply. 

M. Recall/Stop Procedures 

Radio communication, oral, visual or a combination will be utilized to keep the participants continuously 

apprised of the current status of operation. 

N. Aerobatic Competency 

If the filming operations require the issuance of FAA Form 8710-7, Statement of Aerobatic Competency, 

refer to Volume 5, Chapter 9, Issue/Renew/Rescind a Statement of Aerobatic Competency. 

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Revision: 1.1.0

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O. Special Provisions 

The controls, procedures, and conditions set forth in the HeliTek NW motion picture and television 

operations manual is the primary assurance that persons on the surface will not be jeopardized. 

The aircraft and pilots used under this authorization and/or waiver will only be those specified in the 

HeliTel NW motion picture and television operations manual (“Appendix A” page 11) or associated plan of 

activities. Each pilot’s name and certificate number shall appear on each daily plan of activity. All civil 

aircraft and pilot(s) participating in the activity shall be available for FAA inspection before the scheduled 

event. 

Each pilot-in-command conducting operations authorized under this certificate understands the conditions 

of issuance, and that it constitutes a waiver of FAR 91.119 (b) and (c) . (see attached document under 

“Appendix B” page 15) 

Rotorcraft takeoff and landing areas will be protected in a manner that will prevent unauthorized persons 

from entering the takeoff and landing area. 

HeliTek NW will ensure that the participating persons involved in the operations are thoroughly briefed on 

special procedures, communication, emergency procedures, and on the provisions of the authorization 

and/or waiver before beginning the activities. No person may participate in any event unless that person 

has received a briefing on the provisions of the waiver. 

2. Company Organization A. Chief Pilot 

Duties and Responsibilities: 

• Final word in the formulation of policy and procedures concerning this manual. 

• Act as liaison between HeliTek NW and the FAA on matter concerning this manual. 

• Assure that each approved pilot is issued a copy of this manual and obtain a signed statement from 

each that they have read and understand its contents. 

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Revision: 1.1.0

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• Maintain a current copy of this manual at the main base of operations for HeliTek NW. 

• Responsible for assuring that all revisions to this manual are distributed and processed properly. 

• Must approve or disapprove each proposed job or operation performed by HeliTek NW under the 

provisions of this manual. 

• Assume the responsibilities of pilot in command when acting as such. 

• The chief pilot may delegate functions to other personnel but retains responsibility. 

B. Pilot in Command 

Duties and Responsibilities: 

• Assure that aircraft to be flown is in airworthy condition and all inspections and required maintenance 

have been performed as per manufacurer’s guidelines and appropriate FAR's. 

• Acquire permission from the chief pilot before any operation under the provisions of this manual. 

• Be very knowledgeable of the contents of this manual and abide by the procedures, policies and 

conditions contained herein. 

• Coordinate with movie and television personnel to formulate plans, routes, locations, etc. with safety of 

all persons involved in the primary concern. 

• Maintain their copy of this manual in current condition and have it on site at any job or operation 

requiring the waiver. 

• The pilot in command may delegate functions to other personnel, but retains responsibility. 

Date: 7.22.2015

Revision: 1.1.0

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Appendix A .1 List of Approved Pilots 

Chief Pilot 

Name: James Tyler Marsh

Certificate Number: 3363580

Grade: Private Pilot, Instrument Rated

Medical/Driver’s License Expiration: 10/06/2022

Date: 7.22.2015

Revision: 1.1.0

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Appendix A .2 List of Approved Aircraft Make and Model 

1. DJI-Inspire 1 UAS Quadcopter

2. DJI-S1000 UAS Octocopter

3. 

4. 

5. 

6. 

7. 

Registration Numbers

DJI Inspire 1: N120JM

DJI S1000: Pending

Date: 7.22.2015

Revision: 1.1.0

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Appendix A .3 

Permission Acquisition Form 

In signing this form, I am giving the pilots of HeliTek Northwest Permission 

to operate their aircraft at less than 500 feet from persons or property, or in 

some jurisdiction in which I am responsible for or affiliated with, for the 

purpose of film or television production. 

Name: 

Title: 

Basis of Authority to Grant Permission: 

Location: 

Date of Operation: 

Signature __________________________________________________ 

Date __________________________ 

HeliTek NW Representative Receiving Permission 

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Date: 7.22.2015

Revision: 1.1.0

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Appendix A .4 

Revision Letter 

Rev# Section Page Action Remarks Initials 

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R  Remove and Replace D  Delete and Destroy N  Insert New Page 

Manual Serial# ___________________ 

Issued To ___________________________ 

Revised By _________________________________ 

Date _______________________ 

This form must be returned to the Chief Pilot no later 

than_____________________________ 

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Revision: 1.1.0

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Appendix B .1 (see attached form 7711-2) 

Date: 7.22.2015

Revision: 1.1.0

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